Eastern Mediterranean coast

Just beyond the headland of the Cap des Trois Fourches, the enclave of Melilla is a long way across the Mediterranean from its Spanish motherland. Similarly, Nador, a sort of Moroccan half-brother and neighbour to the Spanish town, seems isolated in Morocco. So the two exist side by side, in a strange symbiotic relationship, mutually dependent on each other. Indeed Melilla seems less threatened by its Moroccan surroundings than Ceuta to the West - it is a place much more relaxed in its own skin, and its tapas bars and museums make it a pleasant place to arrive or depart Africa. Nador has less going for it though along the coast there are fishing villages and some good Mediterranean beaches, all the way to the resort of Saïdia, snuggled up against the Algerian border.

This is edited copy from Footprint Handbooks. For comprehensive details (incl address, tel no, directions, opening times and prices) please refer to book or individual chapter PDF